PLEASING VICTORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20983, 21 September 1931, Page 13

PLEASING VICTORY.

AUCKLANDERS IN BEST FORM. forwards play splendidly, haslam outstanding back. Ihe Auckland Rugby representatives thoroughly redeemed themselves on Saturday, proving to the public that their previous performances this season were not in keeping with their real ability. Apart from tho first quarter of an hour at tho beginning of the second Bpell, Wellington never looked like winning. It was exhilarating Rugby all tho way through, and the large crowd left the ground with a feeling that at last it had had its money s worth from an Auckland representative side. Iho Auckland forwards started off as though they meant business, and, although Wellington secured the ball from tho early Bcrums, tho home backs were soon able to show their worth. Once the Auckland pack settled down Had ley and Palmer Rooked the ball in the great majority of the scrums. In the first few minutes it looked as if the Auckland backs were going to give another of their bad displays. Jamieson threw tlie ball at Haslam's feet onco or twice. But this proved to bo but a poor beginning, as Jamieson subsequently came back to form, and this made all the difference to tho Auckland backs, who gave a brilliant exhibition of handling and passing. All five tries were obtained by the backs—in fact, tho whole 27 points were scored by tho rear division. This was something rather unusual for an Auckland team. Going Visitors' Way. A couple of early penalty goals put heart into tho homo side, which had all the better of the first spell. The Wellington backs, however, had been troubled a good deal by the sun, which had made the fielding of high kicks difficult. Tho manner in which the Wellington team commenced the second spell made it evident business was intended, and when the score read 9—-8 in Auckland's favour the gamo appeared to bo going the visitors' way. It was at this stage, however, that the Auckland backs took charge of tho situa tion, and three fine tries, two of them converted, placed the issue beyond doubt Wellington had the better of the final few minutes, in which a couple of tries were scored, but tho margin of eight points in favour of Auckland was i'uily deserved. The Auckland backs gave easily their best display of the season. As a" matter of fact, it could be safely said it was their only cohesive display. Davies played another sound game "at fullback, making one mistake when he allowed Page to side-step him. His line kicking was excellent. The threequarter lino displayed plenty of dash, Milliken scoring a fine try through determined running. Caughey scored three of Auckland's tries, giving an exhibition in keeping with the high-class form he showed early in the season. Taking his passes *p er " fectlv, lie had too much speed for the opposition after Haslam had paved the way for tries. Haslam was the outstanding Auckland back, his work on attack being equal to the best seen this season. Ho handled the ball splendidly and sent out perfect passes. Even allowing for the fact that the efforts of his opponent, Griffiths, to stop him were feeble, Haslam's anticipation and quickness at seizing an opening were responsible for turning the game in Auckland's direction. Jamieson's Improvement. Jamieson's play was vastly improved, although he made a few mistakes in passing, while Nicholls got past hirn onco or twice. However, it was encouraging to I everyone to se<» this five-eighths rccoverj ing the form which he had lost almost, j completely. Corner played his usual clever j and nippy game behind the Auckland j scrum. His passing was almost invarij ably accurate and he refrained from runj ning from the scrum too much. This was ; in sorno measure responsible for Jamie j son's improvement. Tho Auckland pack deserves great credit for its fine all-round play. The onlv department in which it was overshadowed was in line-out work. It would be doing an injustice to some to individualise, as the whole seven played as a pack, both in th« tight work and in the loose. Solomon was frequently in the picture as rover, having a hand in one or two of the tries obtained by the backs. Wellington's fullback. Pollock, was much below standard. His kicking was inconsistent and his tackling very poor. Ball showed up consistently on the left wing. His tackling was solid and he displayed much speed and dash. Pago proved himself a better player than his display in the test match a week earlier made him out to be. His try was a brilliant effort in which he side-stepped three men on his way to the Auckland goal. Mackay was right off form on the other wing Griffiths did some clever work on attack, but his defence was lamentably weak. Objective in Methods. Nicholls gave an exhibition in keeping with his farewell appearance in Auckland. Them was always some objective in his methods and the manner in which he | varied his play caused the opposition no ' little anxiety. He and Kilby gave a remarkably fine exhibition oi how to work the blind side of a scrum. Kilby provad that he has lost none of the form which gained him a place in the All Black team which visited iSouth Africa three seasons ago. He passed out beautifully from the scrum and line-out, from which ho received the ball quite frequently. He stood up to the Auckland forwards in rare style, having much more rush stopping to do than Corner. Barry was the outstanding Wellington forward, doing great work in all departments. /c is a good type to send to Australia and he must have excellent prospects if ho reproduces tho same form when next season arrives. McPherson and McLean both played well, the lastnamed showing up in the loose in the second spell. Jessup received a knock on the eye early in the game and this appeared to affect his play subsequently. Couiston frequently appeared in the loose rushes as well as doing fa'.rly well in hooking the ball. OVATION FOR NICIIOLLS. SHOULDERED FROM FIELD. FINE REPRESENTATIVE RECORD. Mark Nicholls, captain of the Wellington Rugby team, and probably the most-diScussed footballer in New Zealand since the war, made his farewell appearance in Auckland on Saturday afternoon, when he was given an ovation by tho large crowd at Eden Park. There was loud cheering and handclapping as Nicholls led the Wellington .team on to the field, while at the conclusion of the match tho Auckland players rushed to shake him 'by the hand, and they then carried him shoulder high off the ground. The spectators renewed their applause, which was maintained until Nicholls had waved his acknowledgment and raced into his dressing-room • It was a fine sporting gesture on the part of tho Auckland players, and n fitting tribute t-o one of the Onest Rugby players New Zealand has ever produced. Saturday's game was the fifty-niDth Nicholls has played for his province. Wellington plays Hawke's Bay next Saturday, and. if Nicholls takes part, ho will complete 60 representative games, apart from his appearances in international footbalk I 1